Carson Palmer and Hue Jackson walked quickly onto the stage, and, as expected, Jackson was the star of the show.

He’s a natural. He talked about sleep-deprivation, which is understandable given the events of the last two weeks, but Jackson nevertheless offered a broad combination of intriguing statements.

He said this was “the greatest trade in football.” Ever? Really? I’d think Al Davis would nominate a few others, made by Al Davis, and maybe there are a few others–like the stash Dallas recouped when it traded Herschel Walker or the 49ers giving up a couple of picks for Steve Young or the Rams’ deal for Marshall Faulk.

But oh well. It’s natural to feel good about a monster trade like this and to react with vast overstatements when it’s attacked for being too costly.

Meanwhile, Palmer looked and sounded like a guy in the middle of a “whirlwind”–his word–and gave every prudent indication that it’d be best not to rush him into the starting line-up Sunday.

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Who knows what Jackson will do, but at this point, I’d think it’d be better to give Palmer this week plus the bye week and then put Palmer out there for the nine-game sprint to the finish… with a nice possibility at a playoff run.

Jackson, for his part, probably protested a bit too much about the general assumption that he is calling the shots for the Raiders.

This is obviously Jackson’s trade all the way around, and if he has enough juice to get the Raiders to trade a 2012 first-round pick and a 2013 pick that also could turn into a No. 1, then Jackson’s the guy.

I was just struck by the scene–the Raiders’ theater, which always was Al Davis’ stage.

That’s where he held the infamous Overhead Projector presser, the presser to crush Tom Cable, the sessions to welcome Randy Moss & Richard Seymour and many more.

In an Al event, we’d never be let into the theater until it was time to start, then doors would open and Al would be sitting there. Very theatrical.

After Al events, he stayed in his seat and many of us in attendance came up to talk to him and we always had an informal, often fascinating chat.

This time, we were let in early, mingled until the presser started, Jackson and Palmer entered, answered questions, and then they were gone.

Very different.

Note: This transcript was shared by most of the Raiders’ beat corps and a few of us stray columnists. All typos are my fault.

—–CARSON PALMER/ HUE JACKSON presser transcript/

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-JACKSON Intro: It’s been an unbelievable 12, 13 hours, whatever it’s been. I’m kind of losing track of time with this sleep deprivation I’m going through but obviously we’re here for several different reasons.

But I want to first take an opportunity to thank so many people who help have this thing come to a conclusion.

I think there’s a report out there that Hue Jackson sometimes does all this on his own. That’s so far from the truth that it’s not even funny.

Mark Davis is the person that spearheads this whole thing. We have such a great team of people right now that we worth through headed up by Mark, and then Amy and then myself.

And then we have Marc Badain, Tom Delaney and Dan Ventrelle, those guys they’ve been amazing over the last several hours as we were able to put together what I think is probably the greatest trade in football, in my opinion.

Obviously I think everybody knows we needed to go out and address our quarterback situation. I told you guys the other that I was going to continue to search, look, do everything I could to help this football team become everything all it can be.

That’s my job as the head coach and leader of this team. What I set out to do was find the person I would be comfortable with coming in here, helping me lead this football team as we continue to move forward and give us the best opportunity to win.

And I was very lucky to kind of reach back in my past and grab somebody I’m very familiar with being Carson. But in order to do that it took a lot of team work, it took a lot of cooperation from the Bengals.

It took a lot of teamwork here, within this Raiders organization to get it done. And again I want to thank Mark Davis for all he’s done.

Obviously there’s been so many firsts for us since losing Coach Davis. You go to the first game in Houston, we were able to get that done. We did a tremendous job with our football team and won a game.

To our first game here at home last week after losing coach and winning that game in front of our fans.

To laying coach to rest yesterday and then having an opportunity to come in here and get the second player that we’ve acquired since he’s been gone, Aaron Curry was the first and now Carson Palmer.

And obviously this one, people will say is a little more significant than getting Aaron Curry because it’s a quarterback.

There’s no question and no doubt about that but any player we put on this football team in my opinion is going to be someone that can help us attain our goal which is winning a championship.

And that’s all I’m interested in. I’m interested in winning. I told the team, I told the organization my job as I told you, is to do everything I can to make sure that we’re able to do that and I think that’s what we’ve done today.

We’re obviously going to talk to Carson a little bit, this is about our future, where we’re headed, where we’re trying to go and whatever questions you guys have, let em rip.

-Q: Will Carson start on Sunday?

-JACKSON: You think I’m going to tell you that right now? You know me a little bit better than that. OK, all you guys try, I’m not going to let that out of the bag just yet.

But you’ve got to be ready for anything from me. I think you know that. We’ll see as we continue to move through the week exactly where we are.

-Q: Carson, how much your heart is still in this? And do you feel responsibility to prove to Raiders they made right decision?

-PALMER: Tremendous burden. I was telling someone just a little while ago that I went to bed at 10:30 a retired football player and got a text message at 4 a.m. and was told to get on a plane to Oakland.

So, it’s been a whirlwind, and I understand what’s expected of me. I have played in this league for 8 years, I know what it’s about.

I know what playing quarterback is about, and it’s about winning. I want to come in a contribute and do whatever I can to help this team.

-Q: After being out, how do you get your mindset back to playing football? And coach, did you hesitate at all with the price tag? Do you make this move if Jason doesn’t get hurt?

-PALMER: My mind has been in football. It’s been a difficult six weeks … football is what I know, it’s all I know. It’s what I have been doing since I was 5, 6, 7, 8 years old.

And I follow the game, I’ve continued to work out and I’ve continued to stay focused on football and keep my mind in football. So I haven’t been away from the game – I haven’t been playing it for six weeks comparatively-speaking to guys who have been on teams, but my mind has been in it.

-JACKSON: I would like to take us back to Jason. Jason was the starting quarterback on this football team and did a fantastic job. Very unfortunate that he got hurt and had surgery yesterday.

He is resting comfortably, and we’re going to miss him. Jason did so many good things here, not only on this football team but in the community.

Then you think of Kyle Boller and what he did just this past week help his team get a win. That’s what they are. Those guys are pros. I am really glad to have had the opportunity to work with Jason, watch what Jason did and how he led this team.

We’re going miss him and wish him a very speedy recovery. And hope he gets back in the building soon. Obviously, Kyle has to go to work tomorrow. He has some work to do.

As far as the draft picks, what we had to give up to get this young man, I never hesitated. Because again, I know exactly what I am getting. You guys know my history with Carson.

I recruited and coached Carson in college, and was with him in Cincinnati so I have a long-standing history with him. I went to Mark and Amy and said, hey look, this is the person that I think we need to add in order to get where I want to take this organization – being that Jason is not here.

You asked if this would have happened if Jason was still here? Probably not. No question. We were moving at a pretty good pace, we’re a 4-2 football teamn and we’re getting better.

But it was unfortunate that happened, but then you have to respond. Again, I go back to the commitment to Mark and the players that I am always going to put us in the best position to win.

-Q: Carson, what exactly have you been doing the last six weeks and when did you Hue recruit you harder coming out of high school or to come here?

-PALMER: If you know Hue, if you’ve been recruited by Hue you don’t get recruited any harder than by this guy.

For the past six weeks I thought I was retired. Before the start of the season I was training like it was a normal offseason for myself, going about my business like I normally would in an offseason.

Week One hit and I thought, ‘I’ve got to look elsewhere. I’ve got to start to find what the next phase of my life might be.’

Like I said I got a text late last night and then early this morning saying this might happen and I need to get on a plane. I’m ready to go. I’m excited. I’m honored.

I don’t know a lot about this organization but I know that it’s dedicated to winning. I know the history. I know where this organization has been and where it wants to get back to and I’m excited be a part of that.

-Q: Hue, what makes you think Carson is still the player you had in Cincinnati as opposed to the guy who wasn’t quite that good the last few years?

-JACKSON: What was the last part? What did you just say? I didn’t hear that.

-Q: His numbers weren’t as good.

-JACKSON: This isn’t about numbers. This is about the person because I know his heart. I know his passion. I know his dedication to the game.

Sometimes the quarterbacks get too much blame. Sometimes they get too much credit. I’m not concerned about Carson’s past. I never would be. That doesn’t even hit my mind.

I know with me and him and the rest of the staff and this football team where we’re going to go. And that’s the most important thing.

What’s gone one for Carson at Cincinnati and me is over. The future’s now. The time is now and that’s what I’m going to worry about.

-Q: For Hue, what would Al Davis have thought about Palmer?

-JACKSON: One thing I know about Coach he loved tall, athletic quarterbacks from USC, that’s for sure.

One thing he loves is guys who throw the ball down the field, and this man can. I think he’d be very excited, very happy. His son’s very happy and very excited. That told me what Coach might have felt too. Mark is very excited about us adding Carson to this football team.

-Q: How is your arm strength now and has your ability to throw the deep ball come back to you?

-PALMER: Yes, it has and it’s my job to prove that I can do it and I’ll do it.

-Q: It came back by healing or workouts?

-PALMER: I had an elbow injury in 2008 and I’m fully recovered. I probably rehabbed for a year and a half, two years after that. I’ve been throwing and my arm feels as good as it ever has.

I’m very confident in it. It’s my job to answer that question. The only way I can do that is on the field throwing it.

-Q: Carson, how ready are you to take the field?

-PALMER: It’s going take some time. I think the only way you can get in football shape is by playing football.

You can run wind sprints and lift weights and all those things but calling a play in the huddle when you’re tired, after you just ran, you get the wind knocked out of you, getting up off the ground, ready to talk in the huddle, catching your breath, that’s football shape and they only way to do that is in practice and in games.

So obviously I’m not there yet. But I’ll lift until I’m 75 years old or a doctor tells me not to I’ll stay in shape my whole life. I enjoy working out so although my mindset was ‘this might be it, I might be retired’ I still was working out and doing a lot of the things I’ve been doing my whole career.

-Q: What about your situation in Cincinnati made you retire?

-PALMER: It was time to move on. Simply put it was time for them to move on, it was time for me to move on and I’m just happy and thankful that the Bengals organization made that decision also and ended up getting this trade done.

-Q: Hue, Mike Brown seemed set on not trading Palmer so how did you get the trade done? Did it have anything to do with your relationship with the team?

-JACKSON: Probably so. I have so much respect Mike. Having worked there with him, been in drafts with him, coached some of his best players with him in that organization and I think he has respect for this organization and coach Davis.

I think the respect was mutual and he said so. He said ‘Hue, I like you and I want to see you do well and I want to see Carson do well. And I want us to do well’ being the Bengals. So I think at the end of the day I think it was a fit for everybody and I think it worked out in everybody’s behalf.

-Q: Carson, how much throwing have you done and how much football have you watched?

-PALMER: To answer the first question, not enough footballs. It’s tough to round up guys that are NFL caliber guys to throw to, it’s obviously difficult to replicate.

I have been throwing with a guy that coach used to teach in TJ Houshmandzadeh, he and I have been training together, but it’s hard to simulate seven on seven drills and obviously eleven on eleven drills.

So that’s been difficult but I’ve been throwing a football my whole life. I’m confident that I’ll get it back quick, it’s like riding a bike. The second question was…

-Q: How much football have you been watching?

-PALMER: I’ve been watching them all. I’ve watched their four games, our four games. Obviously on DirecTV it’s tough to get what I need to get from the game.

Watching the TV cut is much different than watching a coaches cut but I’ve already been given a computer full of stuff to watch and I’ll dig into that as soon as we’re out of here.

-Q: Hue, given what you traded for Carson, does this team have to win a Super Bowl to justify what you gave up?

-JACKSON: I think this team is poised to win whatever we need to win. I said that before. We’re not putting people on the team just to put them on there. We’re chasing a championship.

I’m not going to tell you I’m going to be disappointed if we don’t, but I’ll probably be mad if we didn’t.

But I’m very excited about the future of this football team and where it has a chance to go, and obviously Carson’s a huge piece of that, and the players that are already here are a huge piece of that, and the players that will continue to come here will be a huge piece of that.

I just think that we’re building, and we’re heading in the right direction and I think we’re going to get there. I truly do.

-Q: Carson, with your relationship with Hue, how long will it take for you to be comfortable enough for you to feel you’re ready to take over this team? This week? Longer?

-PALMER: I think that decision’s up to coach. I’m going to do everything on my end, everything I can, to get it down as quickly as possible. Fortunately, some of the stuff they’ve been doing is something I’ve been quite familiar with and have been doing myself.

As far as the first question, whenever they need me. I’m going to do whatever they ask me to do, I’m going to learn as fast as I can, and when they want me to contribute I’ll be ready.

-Q: You said you were retired, so were you not looking for landing spots, thinking ‘what if’?

-PALMER: No, I definitely did. There was a number of times that there were teams were approaching the Bengals and it didn’t work out, so it was a very difficult time.

I didn’t know what was going to happen. I didn’t know what was around the next turn, the next week, the next month. So there was a lot of confusion and I really didn’t know what was next. I didn’t know what was going to happen.

-Q: But you thought you were going to play, in the back of your mind you thought you’d get a chance?

-PALMER: I hoped. I definitely hoped. I definitely wanted to. I just didn’t know if a trade was going to happen.

-Q: Chemistry can be tough, how do you fit into this locker room?

-PALMER: I think I’ll fit in the locker room pretty well. I’m pretty easy going. I’m pretty laid back and get along with my entire career of playing football, the NFL, I’ve always gotten along really well with teammates.

That chemistry aspect isn’t an issue for me. Just the chemistry of timing with the receivers, two-minute drills, whatever it may be, there’s a lot of different aspects of playing quarterback, a lot of different verbiage, depending on third down, red zone stuff, backed up stuff, two-minute drills, whatever it may be, that chemistry is something that I’ve got to get on top of tonight.

-Q: Carson is there a danger of trying too hard in a situation where the Raiders have paid a very high price?

-PALMER: I don’t think so. I think I’ve been around long enough to know the sacrifices this organization made to get me. I also understand there’s a lot that comes with playing, playing this position, playing quarterback.

A ton of burdens, aside from what an organization may have given up to get you. You got a fan base you’re trying to please and keep happy so that they can brag about. You’ve got teammates you’re trying to play good for, to win for, and especially at the quarterback position, spread the ball around.

There’s a lot of burdens playing this position. It’s definitely a burden, and I’m going to take it head on, do everything I can to win.”

-Q: Carson, the Raiders have a history of getting guys who have fallen out of favor somewhere else. Do you see yourself in that mold, like a Rich Gannon or Daryle Lamonica?

-PALMER: Not necessarily. I don’t pay a whole lot of attention to what’s going on in the media. So I’m not exactly sure how I’m perceived. I just try to focus on, especially during the season, my job and exactly what’s being asked of me each week.

To me, this is a new opportunity. It’s a fresh start and it’s something that I couldn’t be more excited about.

-Q: Carson what pushed you to the point where you were willing to retire instead of playing something that you love so much? And do you foresee anything crossing you the wrong way to where you would contemplate retirement again if it’s not going the right way?

-PALMER: I don’t. I’m excited to be where I am. I’m excited that this happened. I’m not going to go into depth on individual or certain things that happened. It’s a fresh start.

I’m excited to be here. For me to go into certain aspects of what happened in the past, that’s the past to me now. I’m looking toward the future, I’m looking to tomorrow morning, starting meetings and getting out there to practice and the next however many weeks this season lasts.

That’s what I’m focused on, that’s what I’m worried about right now.

-Q: Carson, you mentioned your arm is fine. Are there any other injury concerns you’re not completely recovered from? When you were in Cincinnati, you had Ochocino and T.J.H, you had a lot f chemistry and put up a lot of yards. What was the key to that, and do you see the potential for that on this Raiders team?

-PALMER: To the first question, I’m healthy, I’m 100 percent healthy. Nothing lingering, absolutely nothing lingering. It’s been a long offseason for me. But as far as the chemistry, it’s a very young group of guys.

Guys that I don’ t know yet, but from everything I’ve heard today it’s a hungry group, it’s an exciting group, a physical group, a fast group. I’m excited to have as much influence as I can on these guys and take them under my wing and tell them what I know, and from the coaching they’re getting from the coaches on this staff, that’s a good combination. I’m excited to get to work with them.

-Q: For Hue, people from the outside are saying you traded away your entire draft. What’s your response—what kind of compensatory picks might you get and the possibility of trading players in the future to get picks back?

And you’ve added a safety?

-JACKSON: Chenedu. Ndwuke.

-Q: Is there another corresponding move for bringing Carson onboard?

-JACKSON: Nothing at this time.

But no, I know a lot of people think we’ve mortgaged the future of the organization. I don’t see t that way. I mean, I don’t think you ever mortgage the future of an organization when you’re putting a real big-time franchise quarterback on your team.

I appreciate what everybody thinks but I’m really concerned about what we think here. And I think we’re very comfortable with that.

No. 2, 2012 will take care of 2012 when we get there. I mean, like you said, there’s compensatory picks we may get. There’s all kinds of different directions to go.

We have a very creative staff and we know how to attack it head on and we will. And we’ll do whatever we need to do to make sure that we’re a very, very competitive team.

But obviously Carson’s a huge part of that as we continue to move forward.

-Q: For Carson, knowing the trade deadline was today, when you saw Jason Campbell go down did you immediately think this was a possibility and it might be your last chance?

-PALMER: No. I saw what happened. It came up on NFL.com, that thought somewhat crossed my mind but I still didn’t see it happening.

-Q: For Carson, you grew up in Southern California and earlier you said you didn’t know much about this organization. Are you saying you were a Rams fan?

-PALMER: (Laughter.) No, to be honest… growing up in Southern California, I wasn’t watching games.

The first thing he asked me, you ever been to an ‘SC game when he was recruiting me. And I hadn’t. I wasn’t in the house watching TV. I wasn’t an NFL fan of a particular team.

I would watch the highlights and my dad and my brother and I would and the rest of my family would watch Monday Night Football.

But I was outside. I was playing any sport I could possibly play because there wasn’t really a team… there was the… the LA Rams were there for a little bit of my childhood. But I didn’t have a local NFL team and the closest one was maybe the Chargers or the two Bay Area teams.

I was into any sport I could be playing with all the kids out on the streets.

-Q: For Hue, how much has your workload changed since the death of Al Davis? And could you see as a coach/GM?

-JACKSON: I’m the head coach of the football team. Again, I’m not playing GM. I know everybody thinks that.

Again, we have a team of people… spear-headed by Mark Davis and Amy Trask. Those are the people I go to to ask and seek information or bring solutions to things I think will help our football team.

So I’m not the acting GM. I’m not the-this, the-that. I’m the head coach of this football team and I call the plays on offense. And make sure our defense stops the run. So that’s what I do. I’m not concerned about that.

But whatever hat, whatever role that they need me to play, I’ll play. Because if it produces wins, then I’m all for it.

What I’ve been able to do is tie relationships together as we move forward.

I had a relationship in Cincinnati so that helped bridge a gap to get some things done so that I could get Carson here, a player I’m familiar with, on this football team.

I think that’s the most important thing. It’s about having an organization and having a team of people that are so good at communicating and so good at working together that we can become one. And that’s what we’ve done.

I think moreso than anything since Coach’s death, I think this organization is growing by leaps and bounds because there are so many people that are so good at what they do and we’re able to connect the dots on things as we continue to move forward and we get the pull from each other and work together and get things accomplished.

-Q: Hue can you talk about all you’ve been through the past 10 days?

-JACKSON: Oh no. I’m excited about it. I don’t run from this. This is fun for me. I’m a little tired but this is fun.

I told you I’m best when there’s drama and all kind of stuff going on. Come on, keep it coming. This has been great. Can we keep doing this this way?

But I don’t like to get players injured. Let me make that point. I definitely don’t want that to happen. This has been a lot of fun for me. It’s about the people in the organization.

There are some tremendous people in this organization to work with. I keep telling you guys, we’re becoming something and that’s what we’re going to do here.

-Q: Hue, why is Carson the right guy?

-JACKSON: Because of my personality and my vision through Coach Davis’ vision for this organization and what are the characteristics of the quarterback position for us.

He has all of those characteristics. I know it, I’ve seen it, I’ve witnessed it, I’ve been a part of it with him. This guy can play and he knows how to play the game and he knows how to elevate the players around him.

There’s no question you go on offense as good as your quarterback is. I think he’s one of the best and that’s why he’s on this football team now. I didn’t bring him here because he was just a guy sitting out there. I brought him here because I think he can help this team win a championship.

-Q: Carson, would you have OK-ed any trade or did you have a list and did you pre-approve this one unofficially?

-PALMER: When you’re in the situation I’m in you don’t get to pick. It’s not like being a free agent. If you get traded somewhere you go.

I didn’t have a list. I didn’t have a set list of teams that I thought this was going to happen with. I didn’t know. I was in uncharted waters.

I could not be happier for this opportunity. I’m just excited to be here with this guy.

-Q: Hue, did you think of Carson right away when Jason got hurt?

-JACKSON: I’ve always known since Carson had retired that he was out there. But like you said, prior to the injury there was nothing we needed at that time. We were OK at that position.

Once the injury happened then you start searching through all the names. There were a lot of names to search through. There was a process to it. We had to make sure it was the right fit for us, the right fit for our football team, the right fit for organization, the right fit for everything.

That’s what we did. Not just myself. Again, Mark Davis and Amy Trask. We sat down and we talked about these things and about where we needed to go. The fun part is I get to throw out those recommendations but they get to sit and think about it and stew on it a little bit.

Where it led us to is this gentleman sitting here on my right and I’m thankful for that.

-Q: Hue, who negotiated with Bengals?

-JACKSON: We all play a role in that. Obviously I talked to Mike Brown. Trust me. That part of it is easy. Talking to Mike Brown. I have a relationship with him.

But several members of the organization … I know Amy had to talk to a group of people. I know our negotiators had to talk to a group of people, Marc Badain, Dan Ventrelle, Tom Delaney. We all worked together. It’s not just one …

-Q: It started with you?

-JACKSON: It starts with me because I know Mike and I know Carson. It’s not just me. You also have to be given permission to do certain things to.

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Man, I just can’t believe that they had to give up so much to get him. I would have thought Cincinnati would have taken less. Time will tell if this was wise or not: I’m not optimistic.

Rc

Hue reminds me of a snake oil salesman.

Twinkie defense

Well he sounds great, at least.

Twinkie defense

^^ I mean Carson Palmer. He sounds like he knows how to QB and knows how to compete.

Oaksterdam

I can’t tell if “Carson Palmer” sounds like to last names, or two first names. Time will tell…

Mitch (route246)

Carson who?

Inningextra

Hue traded future for Carson to get to playoff. It might cost Raiders a superbowl when they need the draft picks to improve.

snarkk

Greatest trade in football? Of all time? Uh, Ok. Maybe just a little too much hyperbole there. But, I’m reminded of when, before he got fired, Sing said something like he’d eventually be recognized as one of the NFL’s greatest head coaches. Still waiting for that…

That Man

Ha. Hahahaha.
A first and a second (no way the raydahs win a playoff game) for Palmer? One of the WORST trades ever. He sucks. Just like McNabb, he is done.
The Raiders really couldn’t stand the Niners taking up the spotlight, so they make a ridiculous trade to try to drum up interest. 8-8 again, with the future mortgaged. hahahaha

meh

That Man:

Time will tell. I don’t think the 49ers will win a play-off game either, no matter how well they do in the regular season, but that’s just my opinion as is your opinion about Carson Palmer.

Nice to see the 49er haters trolling Raider news, huh? And who is worried about whose spotlight? Must be horrible knowing you’re only one Alex Smith meltdown away from a full on season reversal.

niner

i remember a horrible trade 10 years ago that no one mentions anymore. Didnt teh Patriots give up high draft choice for some coach named Belchek? Guess that one worked out.

Bigsky

Greatest trade ever? Why yes it was if you are Bengal. Absolute steal. Two first round draft picks for a washed up QB.

Leonard Bonilla

I don’t know if Palmer is “washed up” he may be a little rusty. At the beginning of the season I would have preferred him over Smith, I would prefer him over Smith now! Palmer does bring risk to the Raiders. He can be petulant if things don’t go his way and friends of mine in Cinci tell me he can divide a team in the locker room. Jackson can probably control that however.

I do think they paid to high a price but only the end result will prove that one way or the other. It can’t be making Kyle Boller happy so it will be an interesting show to watch.

Ray Finkle

Great trade! Raiders are very deep and very young so the draft picks aren’t a big deal. 1st round draft picks are 50/50 anyway and Palmer will be great for the next 5 years. Palmer was surrounded by malcontents in Cinci and I don’t blame him for wanting out. Win win for both sides. It cracks me up that he is “washed up” yet threw for 3900 yards and 26 td’s last year. All you Raider haters are just jealous that your team tried to get him and couldn’t. Can’t wait for Smith to crumble.

OpieTaylor

Listen to all the hater Forty Whiner fans… Ha! So pathetic.

Classless, obnoxious, immature sore-winner punks — just like their headcoach.

mbabco

To a certain extent, Smith & Palmer have the same story — Palmer’s hasn’t been that great for a couple year (maybe because of his arm, which is now said to be full strength again) and Smith’s struggles are well knows: they’re both stories of possible redemption, for both themselves and their team. I wish them BOTH well. It’s pretty far-fetched at this point but how about a 49er’s – Raiders super bowl. Would that be cool or what!